The Give Bonnie Strong 77 Foundation was established in honor of Bonnie Vonder Haar, a 12 yr. old girls’ hockey player for the Crystal Lake YellowJackets, who succumbed to leukemia in July 2014. The Foundation helps provide financial assistance to the families of a child fighting pediatric cancer. Thanks to the ongoing generous support from our donors and sponsors, the Foundation was recently able to provide assistance to the family of 9 yr. old Brandon Otte, a Joliet Jaguar Pee Wee hockey player diagnosed with cancer in December 2015. Brandon is the oldest of 7 siblings being raised only by their father, Jeff, a Frankfort Firefighter. Like a true hockey player, Brandon is a strong fighter who never quits when his team is down. The Foundation is happy to hear that, thanks to that fighting spirit, Brandon is now back on the ice after beating his battle with cancer!!! Way to go Brandon!

Brandon had the special honor to perform the ceremonial puck drop at the Blackhawk’s Hockey Fights Cancer Night in October.

Brandon Otte

Brandon Otte

The Give Bonnie Strong 77 Foundation is looking to help other members of the hockey family that have a child fighting pediatric cancer. If you or your club is aware of a family in need of assistance, please contact Dave Vonder Haar at (847) 420-2761. To learn more about the Foundation or to make a donation, please visit our website at www.givebonniestrong77.org.